Condemning the killing, BJP state leader Pon Radhakrishnan said, "The party has called for a state wide general strike on Monday. Ramesh was a patriot and did not have any professional enemies. He is the fourth Hindu leader to be killed within a year."

Radhakrishnan said that Ramesh had earlier escaped an attack on his life and car was burnt. "There is a concerted attack on Hindu leaders in the state and the government is not taking any serious action to put an end to this. Last month Hindu Munnani state secretary Vellaiayappan was murdered in the state," Radhakrishnan added.

He said that there was no policeman at the spot of murder when he visited it at around 4.30-5 am on Saturday. "The murder evidence could have been erased," he remarked. Radhakrishnan said that BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu will be coming to Salem in the afternoon to pay his respects.